I've decided to stop using car seats

tartaruga · July 2012

I'm just not comfortable with car seats. They're not natural at all, confining kids so tightly like that, and I'm concerned there hasn't been enough research on the negative effects of them. What if I get into an accident and my car catches on fire and I can't get my kids out in time? Or what if we go off a bridge and into the water and I can't get them out because of the harness? This happened to a child that a friend of mine knows. It just seems too dangerous to me. Plus, we didn't have car seats as a kid, and we are fine! The car seat lobby is very powerful and they make a LOT of money on selling unnecessary car seats. I know that not everyone will approve, but I think people have to follow their instincts and do what's right for their own families and other people shouldn't judge that. My mommy instinct is a lot more important than any law or studies, and I feel that just letting my baby sit in my lap is what's right for my family. My chiropractor says that if I take supplements and do some weight training, I'll be strong enough to just hold her if we get into an accident.

Does anyone have advice for finding a pediatrician who won't lecture me on my choice?

KateAggie · July 2012

Seriously?? The chances of a child getting stuck in a burning/sinking car are much, much lower than the chance of harm or death from not using a carseat. You'd have to be a fcuking idiot to risk your child like that.

tartaruga · July 2012

It doesn't affect you, so you shouldn't judge. Everyone has to do what's right for their own family. I've done my research. Maybe you shouldn't be so quick to swallow what the government and car seat lobby feed you.

tokenhoser · July 2012

auroraloo:
You people are too easy. Really? A poster with 11000 posts comes in and posts this and you think it's really about carseats?

Yeah... um... your troll-dar is non-existent.

honkytonk_kid · July 2012

KateAggie:
Seriously?? The chances of a child getting stuck in a burning/sinking car are much, much lower than the chance of harm or death from not using a carseat. You'd have to be a fcuking idiot to risk your child like that.

And yet somehow, if you sub in "having a life-threatning or even mildly irritating adverse reaction to a vaccine" and "not vaccinating your child" suddenly this becomes rude, none of my business, and inflammatory to post. Because Research, Gut Feeling, and Ingredients.

cdillar1 · July 2012

Troll or not I feel that I need to respond as I found myself having to spend several days trying to convince 9th graders that wearing seat belts was safer in an accident than not. If you don't like car seats then don't put your child in a car. You will not be able to hold onto them in a serious wreck any more than you would be able to lock your elbows to keep from hitting the steering wheel or crawl down under the dash board if the car is rolling. "Back in the day" there were fewer cars on the road and they were not moving at the speeds they are today. The laws are not there because of powerful car seat lobbies they are there because of physics. If ANYONE is considering not using car seats or seat belts (and yes there are real people out there like that. I personally know several.) I highly encourage you to run to your local university or high school and talk to a physics and/or biology teacher about what happens in a car crash from a physics and anatomy perspective.

tartaruga · July 2012

honkytonk_kid:
KateAggie:
Seriously?? The chances of a child getting stuck in a burning/sinking car are much, much lower than the chance of harm or death from not using a carseat. You'd have to be a fcuking idiot to risk your child like that.
And yet somehow, if you sub in "having a life-threatning or even mildly irritating adverse reaction to a vaccine" and "not vaccinating your child" suddenly this becomes rude, none of my business, and inflammatory to post. Because Research, Gut Feeling, and Ingredients.

Exactly.

So how is this different from vaccinations? Apart from the fact that not using a car seat actually doesn't affect anyone else while not vaccinating does put other people in danger?

For the record, I'm not actually not using car seats. I think not using car seats is just as senseless and dangerous as not vaccinating.

macy42 · July 2012

Wow. I thought ignorance was bliss. How could you even associate car seat vs. no car seat in regards to safety? My heavens. Having a baby rear-facing is leaps and bounds safer than forward facing, and you want to nix the car seat altogether.

Apparently you are not doing the correct "research". It was also safe to smoke and drink back in the day. People know better now than to smoke and drink while pregnant.

I'm all for AP but you seriously cannot be considering wearing your child in the car. Not smart at all. You really need to talk to someone who knows what they are talking about. Not to mention that you could be seriously fined for not having your child safely seated in your vehicle. And I'm pretty sure if you insurance knew, they would drop you in an instant.

Smarten up, bucko!

kllrbnny · July 2012

tartaruga:
honkytonk_kid:

KateAggie:
Seriously?? The chances of a child getting stuck in a burning/sinking car are much, much lower than the chance of harm or death from not using a carseat. You'd have to be a fcuking idiot to risk your child like that.

And yet somehow, if you sub in "having a life-threatning or even mildly irritating adverse reaction to a vaccine" and "not vaccinating your child" suddenly this becomes rude, none of my business, and inflammatory to post. Because Research, Gut Feeling, and Ingredients.

Exactly.

So how is this different from vaccinations? Apart from the fact that not using a car seat actually doesn't affect anyone else while not vaccinating does put other people in danger?

For the record, I'm not actually not using car seats. I think not using car seats is just as senseless and dangerous as not vaccinating.

All of this was clear to me while reading the OP. And I nearly peed myself laughing.

Thank you.

macy42 · July 2012

tartaruga:
honkytonk_kid:
KateAggie:
Seriously?? The chances of a child getting stuck in a burning/sinking car are much, much lower than the chance of harm or death from not using a carseat. You'd have to be a fcuking idiot to risk your child like that.
And yet somehow, if you sub in "having a life-threatning or even mildly irritating adverse reaction to a vaccine" and "not vaccinating your child" suddenly this becomes rude, none of my business, and inflammatory to post. Because Research, Gut Feeling, and Ingredients.
Exactly.
So how is this different from vaccinations? Apart from the fact that not using a car seat actually doesn't affect anyone else while not vaccinating does put other people in danger?

For the record, I'm not actually not using car seats. I think not using car seats is just as senseless and dangerous as not vaccinating.

I'm officially confused. Are you drunk? IMO, you are totally contradicting your OP. ALso, my dad is a DC and I cannot imagine anyone with their knowledge and education actually saying something like that to you. Are you certain you heard him/her correctly?

And no, your 'mommy instinct' is not always better than the law. Some mommies have 'instincts' to suffocate their babies and kill them because they cannot get them to stop crying. Is that safe too? Ugggh no.

MrsOjoButtons · July 2012

We're not using car seats either. I'm relying on the rest of the population to keep us safe.

macy42 · July 2012

ICarriedAWatermelon:
macy42:
tartaruga:
honkytonk_kid:
KateAggie:
Seriously?? The chances of a child getting stuck in a burning/sinking car are much, much lower than the chance of harm or death from not using a carseat. You'd have to be a fcuking idiot to risk your child like that.
And yet somehow, if you sub in "having a life-threatning or even mildly irritating adverse reaction to a vaccine" and "not vaccinating your child" suddenly this becomes rude, none of my business, and inflammatory to post. Because Research, Gut Feeling, and Ingredients.
Exactly.
So how is this different from vaccinations? Apart from the fact that not using a car seat actually doesn't affect anyone else while not vaccinating does put other people in danger?

For the record, I'm not actually not using car seats. I think not using car seats is just as senseless and dangerous as not vaccinating.
I'm officially confused. Are you drunk? IMO, you are totally contradicting your OP. ALso, my dad is a DC and I cannot imagine anyone with their knowledge and education actually saying something like that to you. Are you certain you heard him/her correctly?
And no, your 'mommy instinct' is not always better than the law. Some mommies have 'instincts' to suffocate their babies and kill them because they cannot get them to stop crying. Is that safe too? Ugggh no.
Allow me to clarify. OP's original post was contrived to illustrate how ridiculous the anti-vax movement is. She uses car seats. She vaccinates.

So it's more of a smart @ss post against people who don't vax their children? If so, sorry. Embarrassed I'm not one for getting into heated debates on the internet but this really bothered me!

tartaruga · July 2012

ICarriedAWatermelon:
macy42:
tartaruga:
honkytonk_kid:
KateAggie:
Seriously?? The chances of a child getting stuck in a burning/sinking car are much, much lower than the chance of harm or death from not using a carseat. You'd have to be a fcuking idiot to risk your child like that.
And yet somehow, if you sub in "having a life-threatning or even mildly irritating adverse reaction to a vaccine" and "not vaccinating your child" suddenly this becomes rude, none of my business, and inflammatory to post. Because Research, Gut Feeling, and Ingredients.
Exactly.
So how is this different from vaccinations? Apart from the fact that not using a car seat actually doesn't affect anyone else while not vaccinating does put other people in danger?

For the record, I'm not actually not using car seats. I think not using car seats is just as senseless and dangerous as not vaccinating.
I'm officially confused. Are you drunk? IMO, you are totally contradicting your OP. ALso, my dad is a DC and I cannot imagine anyone with their knowledge and education actually saying something like that to you. Are you certain you heard him/her correctly?
And no, your 'mommy instinct' is not always better than the law. Some mommies have 'instincts' to suffocate their babies and kill them because they cannot get them to stop crying. Is that safe too? Ugggh no.
Allow me to clarify. OP's original post was contrived to illustrate how ridiculous the anti-vax movement is. She uses car seats. She vaccinates.

Thanks for clarifying Sorry that double negative there wasn't very grammatical and was probably confusing.

My point is just that the arguments against vaccinating make as much sense as the arguments against using car seats. Are vaccines 100% effective? No and unfortunately, neither are carseats. Are there some rare, possible negative effects of vaccines? Yes, and same with carseats. But neither of these are good arguments against not using them.

MomiJerz · July 2012

This Definitley had me laughing and is the best sarcastic post yet! Love it

miss1991 · July 2012

MrsOjoButtons:

We're not using car seats either. I'm relying on the rest of the population to keep us safe.

Me too!

pitterpatter129 · July 2012

LOL

DelBride2012 · July 2012

I seriously wondered if the woman asking about insurance pushback was being satirical (pointing out the fact that her decision cost us financially as well as health risks).

lyssbobiss · July 2012

I heard a story from a girl I talked to in a check-out line once that her neighbor's cousin had a baby and used a carseat and now the kid is short for her age and also has lupus. And I think it was because the car seat stunted her growth and I think they should do a study to see if there is a link between carseats and lupus because I think there totally is.

Heather R · July 2012

I'm hesitant about all the fillings and stuffings in carseats.

MrsOjoButtons · July 2012

Are you guys off work today? We could meet up for a Jaws of Life Jubilee to hurry up and let all our kids get their injuries out of the way at the same time.

JeniLovesNeil · July 2012

After lots of research and discussing with my mom friends, we're ditching the car seat, too. The straps irritate LO's skin and I know that other drivers drive safer when they see my "Baby on Board" sticker.

decemberwedding07 · July 2012

lyssbobiss:
I heard a story from a girl I talked to in a check-out line once that her neighbor's cousin had a baby and used a carseat and now the kid is short for her age and also has lupus. And I think it was because the car seat stunted her growth and I think they should do a study to see if there is a link between carseats and lupus because I think there totally is.

Plus, have you noticed how many children have lupus now? Before car seats, there totally were fewer cases of lupus. I almost never heard of anyone who has it. And now, it's like lupus here, lupus there... IDK, I think that's some pretty strong evidence that lupus is caused by car seat usage. And who knows? Maybe seat belts contribute too, so going from car seats to seat belts really ups your chances of getting lupus? I think it's safest to just not risk getting lupus, so I've discontinued use of seat belts and I won't use a car seat when I have a LO.

svenskalamb13 · July 2012

yeah, i prefer watching my child roll around in the back seat anyway....

mypalbabs · July 2012

Finally, a post on the AP board that is about something other than the best carrier or wrap.

honkytonk_kid · July 2012

fredalina:
decemberwedding07:
lyssbobiss:
I heard a story from a girl I talked to in a check-out line once that her neighbor's cousin had a baby and used a carseat and now the kid is short for her age and also has lupus. And I think it was because the car seat stunted her growth and I think they should do a study to see if there is a link between carseats and lupus because I think there totally is.
Plus, have you noticed how many children have lupus now? Before car seats, there totally were fewer cases of lupus. I almost never heard of anyone who has it. And now, it's like lupus here, lupus there... IDK, I think that's some pretty strong evidence that lupus is caused by car seat usage. And who knows? Maybe seat belts contribute too, so going from car seats to seat belts really ups your chances of getting lupus? I think it's safest to just not risk getting lupus, so I've discontinued use of seat belts and I won't use a car seat when I have a LO.
Now you've gone too far. I blame the tv show "House" for that.

nosoup4u · July 2012

Trolling the AP board is all sorts of lame. I feel sorry for your kids, your husband, and those unused car seats.

kacelle · July 2012

fredalina:
decemberwedding07:
lyssbobiss:
I heard a story from a girl I talked to in a check-out line once that her neighbor's cousin had a baby and used a carseat and now the kid is short for her age and also has lupus. And I think it was because the car seat stunted her growth and I think they should do a study to see if there is a link between carseats and lupus because I think there totally is.
Plus, have you noticed how many children have lupus now? Before car seats, there totally were fewer cases of lupus. I almost never heard of anyone who has it. And now, it's like lupus here, lupus there... IDK, I think that's some pretty strong evidence that lupus is caused by car seat usage. And who knows? Maybe seat belts contribute too, so going from car seats to seat belts really ups your chances of getting lupus? I think it's safest to just not risk getting lupus, so I've discontinued use of seat belts and I won't use a car seat when I have a LO.
Now you've gone too far. I blame the tv show "House" for that.

Bahaha.

Teneniel · July 2012

OP YGPM.

Blackrose1918 · July 2012

cdillar1:
If you don't like car seats then don't put your child in a car. You will not be able to hold onto them in a serious wreck any more than you would be able to lock your elbows to keep from hitting the steering wheel or crawl down under the dash board if the car is rolling. "Back in the day" there were fewer cars on the road and they were not moving at the speeds they are today. The laws are not there because of powerful car seat lobbies they are there because of physics. If ANYONE is considering not using car seats or seat belts (and yes there are real people out there like that. I personally know several.) I highly encourage you to run to your local university or high school and talk to a physics and/or biology teacher about what happens in a car crash from a physics and anatomy perspective.

This! I couldn't agree more!

MSUMamaof2 · July 2012

This thread is the gift that keeps on giving. Yes

MrsOjoButtons · July 2012

Brittney Spears is famous for not using car seats. When I'm faced with a dilemma and can't decide if I should trust the doctor, I ask myself, "What would Brittney do?"

Amamsneb · July 2012

MrsOjoButtons:
Brittney Spears is famous for not using car seats. When I'm faced with a dilemma and can't decide if I should trust the doctor, I ask myself, "What would Brittney do?"

I only lurked chuckling until this point, but got here, and felt the need to ask for your hand in marriage.

easjer05 · July 2012

I am in love with this thread, the OP, the responders, all of it. Flipping brilliant.

Thornrose22 · July 2012

monimonimoni · July 2012

Yeah but, big pharma though...

admico821 · July 2012

What if your holding your baby while driving and you get into an accident and the air bag decapitates them.. I think that senerio is more likely then the car burning and you not being able to get them out of the car seat...

Bride2b2004 · July 2012

Normally, I would skip right over this type of attention seeking post. But hopefully even a troll like you can see how insensitive a post like this is especially when a mother on these boards just lost her beautiful 6 month old baby boy in a car accident this weekend.

https://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/07/01/infant-killed-in-crash-on-i-82-five-others-injured

DelBride2012 · July 2012

Bride2b2004:
Normally, I would skip right over this type of attention seeking post. But hopefully even a troll like you can see how insensitive a post like this is especially when a mother on these boards just lost her beautiful 6 month old baby boy in a car accident this weekend.
https://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/07/01/infant-killed-in-crash-on-i-82-five-others-injured

This was incredibly tragic. My heart broke when I saw it on 2nd tri. Truly, a nightmare situation for any mother. It is the kind of thing that keeps me up at night.

Really has not one thing to do with this thread though. It's like saying Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is insensitive to the parents of murder victims.

kllrbnny · July 2012

admico821:

What if your holding your baby while driving and you get into an accident and the air bag decapitates them.. I think that senerio is more likely then the car burning and you not being able to get them out of the car seat...

Are these crazies just skipping over OP's content & all the replies with knee jerk answers?

PP was right, this is the gift that keeps on giving!

::rubs hands together with glee::

tartaruga · July 2012

DelBride2012:
Bride2b2004:
Normally, I would skip right over this type of attention seeking post. But hopefully even a troll like you can see how insensitive a post like this is especially when a mother on these boards just lost her beautiful 6 month old baby boy in a car accident this weekend.
https://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/07/01/infant-killed-in-crash-on-i-82-five-others-injured

This was incredibly tragic. My heart broke when I saw it on 2nd tri. Truly, a nightmare situation for any mother. It is the kind of thing that keeps me up at night.
Really has not one thing to do with this thread though. It's like saying Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is insensitive to the parents of murder victims.

Thank you.

My heart breaks for that family and their tragic loss. But I didn't post it on her home board, I didn't even know about it until after posting, and I still don't really see what one has to do with the other. I'm assuming she's not online reading this board so I doubt she even saw this post.

Bride2b2004 · July 2012

tartaruga:
DelBride2012:
Bride2b2004:
Normally, I would skip right over this type of attention seeking post. But hopefully even a troll like you can see how insensitive a post like this is especially when a mother on these boards just lost her beautiful 6 month old baby boy in a car accident this weekend.
https://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/07/01/infant-killed-in-crash-on-i-82-five-others-injured

This was incredibly tragic. My heart broke when I saw it on 2nd tri. Truly, a nightmare situation for any mother. It is the kind of thing that keeps me up at night.
Really has not one thing to do with this thread though. It's like saying Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is insensitive to the parents of murder victims.
Thank you.
My heart breaks for that family and their tragic loss. But I didn't post it on her home board, I didn't even know about it until after posting, and I still don't really see what one has to do with the other. I'm assuming she's not online reading this board so I doubt she even saw this post.

A tragic car accident where a baby died and car seat safety have no connection? The mother has asked those of us who want to make donations to do so to a car seat safety organization. Trust me, there is a connection.

I hope she hasn't seen this post. This isn't my "home board"... whatever that is, but I still read posts here. FWIW, I know she baby wears and have seen pictures of both her and her DH wrapping Milo in a Moby wrap. Anyway, whether she has or not is immaterial. It is incredibly rude and insensitive IMO to make jokes and troll posts about this topic... probably anytime, but especially right now. I for one wanted to post here to say: Not. Funny.

Want a personalized experience?

I've decided to stop using car seats

Re: I've decided to stop using car seats

Choose Another Board

Search Boards